Jun. 29, 2013
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by Lorena Blas, USA TODAY

by Lorena Blas, USA TODAY

New Yorkers are showing their pride this weekend with a little help from Lady Gaga.

The Big Apple has been celebrating the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender community for days with the NYC Pride March scheduled for Sunday, featuring singer Harry Belafonte as one of the Grand Marshals.

But it was Lady Gaga who captured attention on Friday night at the rally to kick off activities. The pop superstar, who has been lying low since having hip surgery in February, made her first public appearance since her operation by delivering a speech and performing a customized version of the national anthem while clutching a rainbow flag.

During her speech, she credited the LGBT community for supporting her and, well, saving her. She said, "It was you that saved me. You saved me, my friends in the LGBT community time and time again," she continued. "And I saw God for the first real time in all of you. You were sent to me like angels to protect me and to save me. It was you who understood my need to hide behind the wigs, the glasses, the glamour, the clothing."